The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due to heating equipment. The Russellville Fire Department asks that you take the following safety precautions and have a safe and happy holiday:

· The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) estimates that each year, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 230 home fires that began with Christmas. These fires cause an average $18.3 million in direct property damage annually.

· U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 10,630 home structure fires started by candles each year. Home candle fires are the cause of an average of 115 civilian deaths and 903 fire injuries each year.

· In the last 5 years, space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (33%) of home heating fires and four out of five (81%) of home heating fire deaths.

Holiday Decorating and Lighting

When decorating your tree, always use lights listed by a testing laboratory. Some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Larger tree lights should also have some type of reflector rather than a bare bulb.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use tree lights. Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used. Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.

Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and extend their life.

Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and make sure any lit candles in the room are placed well away from tree branches.

Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles. Check for fresh, green needles. And place your tree in a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.

Children are fascinated with Christmas trees. Keep a watchful eye on them when around the tree and do not let them play with the wiring or lights. Store matches and lighters up high, out of reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source, such as fireplaces and radiators. Try to position the tree near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.

Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.

Candle Safety

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles which can look, smell, and feel like real candles.

Use sturdy, safe candleholders.

Protect candle flames with glass chimneys or containers.

Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Put candles out when you leave a room.

Avoid using candles in bedrooms and sleeping areas.

Keep children and pets away from burning candles.

Be careful not to splatter wax when putting out a candle.

Never use a candle when oxygen is present.

Always use a flashlight, not a candle, for emergency lighting.

Keep matches and lighters up high, out of reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Home Heating Safety

Portable space heaters need a three-foot clearance from anything that can burn.

Portable space heaters should be turned off when leaving a room or going to sleep.

Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces and chimneys, and all solid-fueled heating equipment need to be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned as often as the inspections indicate.

Burn seasoned wood instead of green wood.

Use a sturdy fireplace screen to keep sparks from flying into the room.

Portable kerosene heaters must be fueled only in a well ventilated area and only when device has cooled. Use only the type of kerosene that is specified by the manufacturer.

Keep children away from space heaters.

Be sure there is adequate room ventilation.

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Install a smoke detector on every level of your home.

Test and clean your smoke detector.

Install a carbon monoxide detector if you have gas appliances in your home.